Bishop OKs Sunday Celebrations in emergency cases in Belleville Diocese

Acknowledging a growing priest shortage in the Belleville Diocese, Bishop Edward K. Braxton has released a letter that says parishes may begin having "Sunday Celebrations" led by a deacon or layperson instead of a Mass celebrated by a priest.

The 'Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest' rite can be used in emergency situations.
. . .
Ann Harter, a member of St. Luke's parish in Belleville and a member of the Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity, believes the restrictions on who can be a priest has created the priest shortage and the need to implement Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest.

"The fact is, there aren't enough priests and the ones we have are stretched to the limit, but the church won't open its eyes to the wealth of highly qualified men and women eligible for ordination," Harter said. "The problem is, they will not consider the possibility of priests other than celibate males."

"In my view, the people who are gathered there, ordained or not, are the ones who give the Eucharist its meaning," Harter said. "In my opinion, what makes the Eucharist the Eucharist is that the people gather and share."

Heretical comments from a professed Catholic. How is it that reporters always find and quote these clowns? Being a member of the group 'FOSIL' has probably had something to do with her warped understanding of Catholicism and of her 'faith'. Not only is she wrong on the subject of the priesthood, she is wrong on the Holy Eucharist as well. The Holy Eucharist does not 'get its meaning' from those who have chosen to 'gather'. The reality of the Holy Eucharist exists whether anyone 'gathers' or not. The essence, the substance of the Holy Eucharist is not changed when others assemble for Mass or for prayer.

I've heard statements concerning the Holy Eucharist by local priests which were very similar to Harter's. Unfortunately, these opinions are still being spread by those who should know better.

Article here.

And - you can answer a Poll Question, "Would you feel comfortable attending a Sunday Celebration instead of Mass?", here.